Reset Xiaomi Redmi 4X to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, but even after years, its owners are faced with the need to return the device to a “clean” state: slowdown after updates, viruses, preparation for sale or fixing MIUI errors are many reasons for resetting.

In this article, you will find three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), as well as unique recommendations for saving data on the Redmi 4X, taking into account the features of its hardware platform (Snapdragon 435 processor and 16/32 GB of memory).

Preparing for resetting: what to do before the start

Resetting to factory settings on the Xiaomi Redmi 4X is irreversible. Even if you plan to sell the phone, without a backup, you risk losing photos, contacts and messages stored only in the device’s memory, especially critical for a 16GB model where data is often stored on an internal drive.

Here's what you have to do:

• 📱 Sync your Mi Account: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Sync and enable backup of contacts, notes and call history.It's free and takes 2-3 minute.

💡

Redmi 4X with 16GB of memory often lacks space to back up via Mi Cloud. Use third-party apps like Swift Backup (requires root) or copy files manually.

If you reset your phone before selling, be sure to log out of your Mi Account in the settings, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device - it will remain tied to your profile.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This method is suitable if the phone is turned on and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-It's the simplest, and it doesn't require any additional tools, but on Redmi. 4X with custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) the path to the reset menu may differ.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Reset (on some versions of MIUI - Delete all data).
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the lock screen.
5. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).

Battery charge > 30%|Synchronization of Mi Account is enabled|Important files copied to PC|Password from the lock screen is known-->

If the phone is stuck on the Mi screensaver after the reset, don't panic. This is normal for the Redmi 4X - the first download after the reset can take up to 10 minutes. If the screen doesn't change for longer than 15 minutes, go to the method via Recovery.

Yeah, through the settings menu.|Yes, through Recovery.|Yes, via Fastboot.|No, never.-->

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Redmi 4X doesn't respond to the power button, is stuck on the logo, or is locked with a pattern lock you forgot, Recovery mode can help. On this model, it can be of two types: standard (MIUI Recovery) and custom (TWRP).

For entry to MIUI Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see a menu with an Android robot and the inscription No command (this is normal).
4. Press and hold Power, then once press Volume up - the Recovery menu will open.

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset on newer versions).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. After completion, select Reboot.

If you have a TWRP installed, the path will be different:

1. In the TWRP menu, select Wipe.
2. Swipe to Factory Reset Swipe to Factory Reset.
3. After completion, press Reboot System.

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 4X After resetting through Recovery, it may disappear IMEI. This is due to damage to the nvram partition. To avoid the problem, copy the folder before resetting. /data/nvram on PC (root required).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method requires a computer and is suitable if:

• 🔄 The phone is getting stuck in bootloop (cyclical reboot).
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten and Recovery asks for it.
• 🛠️ You need to reflash your phone after a failed update.

The work will require:

• A computer with Windows/Linux.
• USB Type-C cable (original to avoid connection issues)
• Mi Flash Tool (download from the official Xiaomi website)
• Redmi 4X firmware (select Fastboot, not Recovery!)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
2. Connect your phone to your PC. Install Qualcomm drivers (if Windows doesn’t find them automatically, download from Xiaomi’s developer site).
3. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\redmi4x_fastboot).
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (full reset) or Clean All and Lock (reset + lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If you choose Clean All and Lock on a phone with an unlocked bootloader, you will have to re-unblock it through the Mi Unlock Tool after the firmware is installed. This will take 72 hours of waiting (Xiaomi policy).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, the Redmi 4X may not go as planned, and here are the typical problems and ways to fix them:

1.The phone is stuck on the Mi logo after being dumped

• 🔌 Cause: Damage to system files or incompatible firmware.
• 🛠️ Solution: Repeat the reset via Fastboot with Clean All mode. If it doesn't work, swipe your phone again using the Mi Flash Tool.

2.After the reset, the IMEI disappeared or there was no network

• 🔧 Solution: Download the archive with nvram files for Redmi 4X (Look for forums like this. 4PDA). Sweat them through. TWRP or SP Flash Tool.Reboot your phone and check it out. IMEI In Settings → The phone.

3.Recovery asks for a password, but you don't remember it

• 🔒 Reason: Protection activated FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
• 🔑 Solution: If the phone was linked to Mi Account, enter the username and password from it. If the account is not yours (for example, the phone is bought with hands), contact the previous owner to untie the device. EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and cable) EDL).

💡

If after reset, the phone requires a Mi Account, but you do not remember it, do not try to find a password - after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will be locked for 24 hours.

How to recover data after resetting

If you haven’t made a backup, the chances of returning files depend on which reset method was used:

1. Reset via Settings or Recovery

• 📁 Recovery capability: High. Data is not overwritten completely, but only marked as deleted.
• 🛠️ Tools: DiskDigger (for photos and documents) EaseUS MobiSaver (works with internal memory Xiaomi). 7-Data Recovery (supports the file system) ext4, redmi 4X).
• ⚠️ Important: Do not write new files to your phone after a reset – this reduces the chances of recovery.

2.Reset via Fastboot (Clean All)

• 🗑️ Recovery: Low. The firmware through the Mi Flash Tool completely rewrites the data and system partitions.
• 🔍 What to try: If it was turned on before the reset USB-Debugging, connect your phone to your PC and use ADB You can go to the service center, and sometimes you can extract it with soldering equipment (expensive, but possible).

To restore contacts and messages, check:

• 📧 Google Account: If sync is enabled, contacts can be returned via Google Contacts.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Go to i.mi.com and check backups.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions